Abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculate: abortive apoptosis and faulty nuclear remodelling during spermatogenesis

doi:10.1016/S1472-6483(10)61886-X

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

Volume 7, Issue 4, 2003, Pages 428-432

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1472-6483(10)61886-X Get rights and content

Abstract

The mechanisms responsible for producing abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculate are relatively unknown. Numerous studies have now shown the presence of nuclear DNA strand breaks in human ejaculated spermatozoa and the abnormal persistence of apoptotic marker proteins. The reason why human spermatozoa, in particular from men with abnormal semen parameters, possess these abnormalities is still not clear. Two processes that have been linked to the presence of nuclear DNA strand breaks in spermatozoa are anomalies in apoptosis during spermatogenesis or problems in the replacement of histones with protamines during spermiogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for producing abnormal spermatozoa in the human will improve knowledge about certain causes of male infertility.

Section snippets

Dr Denny Sakkas obtained his PhD at Monash University, Australia. Since then he has headed research groups and directed In Vitro Fertilization Laboratories at the University of Geneva, and Birmingham, UK, and currently in the Department of Obstetrics at Yale University. His research interests include: (i) understanding the role of apoptosis and presence of nuclear DNA damage in the spermatozoa of men with poor semen parameters; (ii) the consequences of using abnormal spermatozoa to fertilize

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Citation Excerpt :
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: Paper based on contribution presented at the ‘TWIN-Meeting Alpha-Andrology 2003’ in Antwerp, Belgium, September 2003.

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ArticleAbnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculate: abortive apoptosis and faulty nuclear remodelling during spermatogenesis

Abstract

Section snippets

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

Experimental Cell Research

Tissue and Cell

Fertility and Sterility

Developmental Biology

Experimental Cell Research

Cell

Oxidative stress, DNA damage and the Y chromosome

Reproduction

Spermatogonial apoptosis has three morphologically recognizable phases and shows no circadian rhythm during normal spermatogenesis in the rat

Cellular Proliferation

Analysis of DNA fragmentation, plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine and oxidative stress in human spermatozoa

Human Reproduction

Apoptosis of male germ cells, a generalized or a cell type-specific phenomenon? [editorial; comment]

Endocrinology

Effect of deoxyribonucleic acid protamination on fluorochrome staining and in situ nick-translation of murine and human mature spermatozoa

Biology of Reproduction

Apoptosis in testis germ cells: developmental changes in gonadotropin dependence and localization to selective tubule stages

Endocrinology

Apoptosis is physiologically restricted to a specialized cytoplasmic compartment in rat spermatids

Biology of Reproduction

Relation of mammalian sperm chromatin heterogeneity to fertility

Science

Sperm nuclear instability and staining with aniline blue: abnormal persistence of histones in spermatozoa in infertile men

International Journal of Andrology

Inhibition of testicular germ cell apoptosis and differentiation in mice misexpressing bcl-2 in spermatogonia

Development

Morphometric assessment of mature and diminished-maturity human spermatozoa: sperm regions that reflect differences in maturity

Human Reproduction

Stage-specific apoptosis in the rat seminiferous epithelium: quantification of irradiation effects

Journal of Andrology

Involvement of apoptosis in the induction of germ cell degeneration in adult rats after gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist treatment

Endocrinology

Article
Abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculate: abortive apoptosis and faulty nuclear remodelling during spermatogenesis